Besides the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the diocese consists of eight civil districts of the civil state of Himachal Pradesh, 12 civil districts of the civil state of Haryana and six civil districts of the civil state of Punjab, spread in an area of 83, 560 square kilometers.

Population

Tribals and dalits populate in many villages. Most of the people are engaged in farming. They cultivate rice, wheat, vegetables, apple etc. Many industries and business centers are situated in urban areas. Many areas of the diocese are mountainous.

Tourism The diocese has many important national tourism centers like Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Mohali, Kurukshetra, Panipat, besides the new city of Chandigarh.

Economy

The Catholic community consists of various ethnic, linguistic, socio, economic and cultural groups. Besides the pastoral care of the Catholics, the Catholic Church is engaged in serving the people through various educational and social activities.

Religion

Most of the population is Hindus. Being the home of Sikhism, Sikhs form the second majority and the Muslims forming the third majority. Other Christian denominations are also active in the area.

Industries

Simla - Chandigarh diocese has a long history. Dividing the area from Agra archdiocese, the mother of all dioceses in North India, Simla archdiocese was created in 1910, with Archbishop Anselm E.J. Keneally O.F.M. Cap appointed as its first archbishop.

When Delhi became the capital of the independent India, since the area came under this archdiocese, the See was shifted to Delhi and was known as Delhi - Simla archdiocese. Archbishop Sylvester P. Mulligan became its first archbishop.

In 1959 Delhi was dismembered and Simla became an independent diocese, with Bishop John Burke heading it.

With the formation of the new city of Chandigarh, the socio - political life of the people centered around this new city and so the bishop was forced to remain in Chandigarh, though Simla remained its headquarters. It was Bishop Gilbert Blaize Rego finally shifted the residence to Chandigarh and the diocese was known as Simla - Chandigarh diocese